Twelve-year-old Reeve LeClaire was kidnapped and held captive for four years in Daryl Wayne Flint's basement. She was abused, tortured and mutilated. He was obsessed by her lovely skin, using a razor to create his "artistic designs" on her back and throat. She was saved when Flint put her in the trunk of his car and was injured in a car crash. Reeve was found by FBI Agent Milo Bender, who befriended her and stood by her side during the trial that convicted Flint. Due to Daryl suffering sufficient brain injury in the crash, he was found guilty by reason of insanity. He was sent to the Olshaker Psychiatric Hospital instead of prison. Now 23, Reeve changes her name, moves to another state, enrolls in college, and is trying to start a new life by putting her horrific past behind her.

Flint has been a model prisoner for seven years. He is safely locked up in the forensic unit at Olshaker. In reality, he is waiting and planning for the day he escapes. When a new barber arrives at the hospital, he murders him, takes the victim's car, and escapes. When Reeve hears the news it is her worst nightmare! She joins forces with retired Agent Bender in a wild and dangerous chase to stop Flint from finding another prey. Reeve decides to come forward, fight back and warn young women via a TV appearance. She is a strong, brave heroine. Reeve believes she knows how he thinks better than anyone and she is the one to stop him. Following his bloody trail, Flint is always a step ahead of Reeve and Bender and he seems to have a strategy. He is still obsessed with Reeve and wants her back, no matter what it takes.

If you are looking for a psychological thriller, WHAT DOESN'T KILL HER is the book I highly recommend. Non-stop action that will have your heart pounding and your pulse beating double-time as this killer-chiller builds to an exciting finale. Flint, yellow teeth and foul smelling, is a twisted monster that you will remember long after you close the cover. I hope he doesn't cause a nightmare as he is a wicked predator just waiting to take his next victim.

Carla Norton is a gifted writer that deserves acclaim for this thrill ride that had me checking under my bed and keeping my dog close as I read far into the night. I've already ordered THE EDGE OF NORMAL. I am anxious to read the first in the series about Reggie/Reeve. You have a new fan. Great job, Ms. Norton!

Book Summary

Reeve LeClaire is a college student, dammit, not Daryl Wayne Flint's victim. Not anymore-not when Reeve is finally recovering a life of her own after four years of captivity.

Flint is safely locked up in Olshaker Psychiatric Hospital, where he belongs. He is walking the grounds of the forensic unit, performing his strange but apparently harmless rituals. It seems that he is still suffering the effects of the head injury he suffered in the car crash that freed Reeve seven years ago. Post-concussive syndrome, they call it.

For all that Flint seems like a model patient, he has long been planning his next move. When the moment arrives, he gets clean away from the hospital before the alarm even sounds. And Reeve is shocked out of her new life by her worst nightmare: Her kidnapper has escaped. Less than 24 hours later, Flint kills someone from his past--and Reeve's blocked memories jolt back into consciousness. As much as she would like to forget him, she knows this criminal better than anyone else. When Flint evades capture, baffling authorities and leaving a bloody trail from the psychiatric lock-up to the forests of Washington state, Reeve suddenly realizes that she is the only one who can stop him.

Reeve is an irresistibly brave and believable heroine in Carla Norton's heart-stopping new thriller about a young woman who learns to fight back.